Magnetically sealable container

ABSTRACT

An openable and selectively resealable container includes wall members defining an internal storage cavity and a flap member hingedly connected thereto and movable between an opened and closed position with at least a portion of the flap member being in overlying contact with one wall member of the container when the flap member is in its closed position. Magnetic sealing means are provided for retaining the flap member in its closed position and include a strip of permanent magnetic material secured to the flap member and located in a position to coact with and overlie a thin layer of ferromagnetic material which is secured to the one wall member. The one wall member is formed of a baseboard with at least one surface thereof being covered with a decorative, overwrap material after the ferromagnetic material is impressed into the surface of the baseboard to substantially conceal the appearance and location of the ferromagnetic material.

United States Patent [1 1 Peckar July 31, 1973 MAGNETICALLY SEALABLECONTAINER [221 Filed: May 15, 1972 2'11 Appl. No.1 253,197

[52] US. Cl..... 229/44 R, 206/D1G. 33, 248/206 A, 150/42, 220/55 MG,24/73 MF [51] int. Cl B6501 5/34, 865d 55/00 Field 01 Search 24/73 MF;150/42; 248/206 A; 21 llDiG. 1; 52/DIG. 4-, 40/142 A;

" 743,967 1/1933 France 321,047 6/1957 Switzerland .l 248/206A Br ana.fis 'sisvill -H M q Att0rneyMorton Amster, Jesse Rothstein et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An openable and selectively resealable container includeswall members defining an internal storage cavity and a flap memberhingedly connected thereto and movable between an opened and closedposition with at least a portion of the flap member being in overlyingcontact with one wall member of the container when the flap member is inits closed position. Magnetic sealing means are provided forretainingthe flap member in its closed position and include a strip ofpermanent magnetic material secured to the flap member and located in aposition to coact with and overlie a thin layer of ferromagneticmaterial which is secured to the one wall member. The one wall member isformed of a baseboard with at least one surface thereof being coveredwith a decorative, overwrap material after the ferromagnetic material isimpressed into the surface of the baseboard to substantially conceal theappearance and location of the ferromagnetic material.

7 Claims, Drawing Figures 1 MAGNETICALLY SEALABLE CONTAINER Thisinvention relates generally to self-sealing containers and, moreparticularly, to openable and magnetically releasable containers.

In the prior art, there are a number of different types of containerswhich employ magnetic means to seal the container. In some of theseprior art containers, the magnetic sealing means are exposed and visibleon the container even after it has been sealed or closed. This providesa container which is unattractive and limits the use of such containersto fields where appearance is of no concern. However, other types ofprior art containers, such as billfolds, coin purses, keycases, etc.have covered and concealed the magnetic sealing means to enhance theappearance of the container. However, even in these prior artcontainers, the magnetic sealing means considerably increase thethickness of the closure members and usually create an unsightly bump orbulge on the closure members of the container. Finally, to eliminate theproblem of an unsightly bulge or bump on container closure members, aportion of the-closure member has been removed or cutout and themagnetic sealing means placed within the cavity created. These inlaidmagnetic sealing means and adjacent closure surfaces are thenoverwrapped to eliminate the unattractive appearance of the magneticsealing means.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, thatcuttingout or removing aportion. of a closure member in order to create a cavity of the propersize which will receive the particular magnetic sealing means is bothcostly and cumbersome. It would be desirable to merely apply themagnetic sealing means to the closure member without having to remove aportion thereof, yet still avoid the unsightly appearance of a bulge orprotrusion above the adjacent closure surfaces. In addition, it would beadvantageous to avoid the need of cutting-out or removing a portion ofthe closure member which is to receive the magnetic sealing means, assuch an operation is costly and time-consuming.

Accordingly, it isan overall object of this invention to providemagnetic sealing means for a container wherein the magnetic sealingmeans are not exposed and'do not provide bulges or protrusions in theclosure member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container wherein themagnetic sealing means are applied in an efficient and economical mannerto a closure member of the container.

Briefly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, amagnetically scalable container is provided with magnetic sealing meansbeing located on adjacent closure members which coact to seal thecontainer. More particularly, the container includes wall members whichdefinean internal storage cavity and a flap member which is hingedlyconnected thereto and is movable between an opened and closed position.The flap member includes a contact surface which is in overlying contactwith a contact surface of one of the wall members when the flap memberis in its closed position. The magnetic sealing means retain the flapmember in its closed position and include a strip of permanent magneticmaterial on the contact surface of the flap member and a thin layer offerromagnetic material beneath the contact surface of the one wallmember.

The one wall member is formed of a baseboard and the surface thereof iscovered with a decorative, overwrap material. The ferromagnetic materialis impressed into the surface of the baseboard so that the outer surfaceof the ferromagnetic material is substantially coplanar or flush withthe outer surface of the baseboard. Moreover, the decorative, overwrapmaterial covers the baseboard and substantially conceals the appearanceand location of the impressed ferromagnetic material. Further, theferromagnetic material may be secured to the one wall member in avariety of ways, including the use of prongs on the ferromagneticmaterial or the use of adhesive means on the ferromagnetic material, thebaseboard or on the overwrap material. I

The magnetically scalable container of the present invention provides anumber of advantages over prior art arrangements. Most important, anattractive container is provided due to the fact that the ferromagneticmaterial is concealed by a decorative, overwrap material. Moreover, asthe ferromagnetic material is impressed into the baseboard, and is flushwith the surface thereof, there is no unsightly bulge or protrusionthrough the overwrap material. In addition to the magnetic sealing meansof the present invention providing a more attractive container, it ismore economical to produce. More particularly, as the ferromagneticmaterial is simply impressed into the surface of the baseboard, by asuitable machine, it eliminates the costly and time-consuming step ofhaving to remove a portion of the baseboard to form a cavity to receivethe ferromagnetic material.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon the consideration of the following detaileddescription of a presently preferred embodiment when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are illustrative of representative types of containerswhich may employ the magnetic sealing means' of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is illustrative of a portion of the magnetic sealing means of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4, which shows theprongs which maybe employed for attaching the magnetic sealing means toa closure member of a container;

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view illustrating one configuration ofthe magnetic sealing means of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the use of an additionalferromagnetic strip to reduce the thickness of the magnetic sealingmeans required on the flap member; I

FIG. 8 is a modification and illustrates the use of tw permanent magnetsin order to provide a shear lock in one direction; and

FIG. 9 is a modification and illustrates the use of three permanentmagnets in order to provide a shear lock in two directions.

Referring now to FIGS. I to 3, there are illustrated representativetypesof containers, which are generally designated by the reference numeral10, which may employ the magnetic sealing means of the presentinvention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows the magnetic sealing means of thepresent invention employed on a cigar box, FIG. 2 shows a record albumor tape carrier .and FIG. 3 shows a gift or wrapping box. It is to beunderstood, however, that these containers 10 are for illustrativepurposes only, and that the magnetic sealing means of the presentinvention may be employed on any type of container which includes wallmembers with an overlying flap member, in a manner to be describedhereinafter.

Typically, the containers include a plurality of wall members, such asthose designated by the reference numerals l2, l4 and 16, which definean internal storage cavity 18 for receiving various types of articles,such as those representitively shown at 20 and 22. A flap member 24 ishingedly connected at 26 to one of the wall members of the container 10and is movable between an opened and closed position. Flap member 24includes a flap portion 28 which overlies one of the wall members of thecontainer, e.g., wall member 12, and a connecting portion 30 which willnormally form one wall member of the container 10 when flap member 24 isin its closed position.

The magnetic sealing means of the present invention retain flap member24 in its closed position and includes a strip of magnetic material,such as permanent magnet 32, secured to the contact surface 28a of flapportion 28 and a thin layer of ferromagnetic material 34 secured to thecontact surface 12a of wall member 12. It should be understood, that anysuitable number of sets of magnetic sealing means 32, 34 may beemployed. As shown in FIG. 1, sufficient closure strength is obtained byemploying only one pair of magnetic sealing means 32, 34, whereas inFIGS. 2 and 3, it is necessary to employ two pairs of magnetic sealingmeans 32, 34 to obtain the required or desired magnetic closure force.

As shown in FIG. 6, wall member 12 is formed of a baseboard 12, made outof any suitable material, such as cardboard, with at least one surface12d of baseboard 12b being covered with a decorative, overwrap material120. The ferromagnetic material 34 is impressed'into the surface 12d ofthe baseboard 12b, by any suitable machine, so that the outer surface34a of the ferromagnetic material 34 is substantially coplanar or flushwith the outer surface 12d of baseboard 12b. The decorative, overwrapmaterial 120 is placed over baseboard 12b and ferromagnetic material 34to substantially conceal the appearance and location of ferromagneticmaterial 34. In this manner, when flap member 28 is in its openposition, only the decorative, overwrap material 120 will be observed asit completely covers the ferromagnetic material 34. Moreover, asferromagnetic material 34 is impressed into the surface 12d of baseboard12b so that it is flush with the surface 12d thereof, there is nounsightly bulge or protrusion of the ferromagnetic material 34 throughthe decorative, overwrap material 12c.

The ferromagnetic material 34 may be secured to wall member 12 in anysuitable manner. For example,

prongs 34 may be punched out of the strip of fcrromagwithout the use ofprongs 34b or adhesive means. More particularly, the impressing of theferromagnetic material 34 into baseboard 12b would be one way of simplysecuring the ferromagnetic material 34 thereto.

It is also within the contemplation of the present invention to provideas thin a closure as is possible, yet still providing sufficient magnetforce between permanent magnet 32 and ferromagnetic material 34 so thatthe magnetic sealing means of the present invention will provide anadequate closing force. To accomplish this, as shown in FIG. 7, anadditional strip of ferromagnetic material 36 is impressed within thecontact surface 28a of baseboard 28b and is covered with a suit abledecorative, overwrap material 28c before the permanent magnet 32 issecured to flap member 28, in any suitable manner. As a result, some ofthe magnetic lines of force which leave permanent magnet 32 and normallyenter the surrounding atmosphere, will now enter the strip offerromagnetic material 36 which has been impressed into flap member 28.This combination of permanent magnet 32 and ferromagnetic material 36applies a greater magnetic force of attraction to the ferromagneticmaterial 34 of wall member 12. Accordingly, the size of permanent magnet32 may be decreased in proportion to the additional magnetic strengthprovided by ferromagnetic material 36.

The magnetic sealing means 32, 34 of the present invention describedheretofore, although providing a sufficient magnetic closure forcebetween the closure members, wall member 12 and flap member 28, allowthe two closure members to slide relative to each other once the flapmember 28 is in its closed position and overlies and contacts wallmember 12. In order to avoid relative sliding between wall member 12 andflap member 28, once the flap member 28 is in its closed position, thearrangements shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be employed. With respect toFIG. 8, in addition to permanent magnet 32 being secured to flap member28, there is shown an additional permanent magnet 38 secured to wallmember 12, in any suitable manner. Ac cordingly, it will be seen thatwhen flap member 28 is in its closed position, permanent magnets 32 and38 will avoid sliding movement of flap member 28 relative to wall member12 in one direction. In, this manner, a more secure and sturdy sealingmeans is provided.

Finally, the magnetic sealing means shown in FIG. 9 prevents relativemovement between wall member 12 and flap member 28 in two directions.More particularly, in addition to the permanent magnet 32 secured toflap member 28 and the permanent magnet 38 secured to wall member 12,there is provided an additional permanent magnet 40 secured to wallmember 12, in any suitable manner, and spaced from permanent magnet 38 asufficient distance so that permanent magnet 32 will be received betweenpermanent magnets 38 and 40 when flap member 28 is moved into its closedposition. As a result, permanent magnets 32, 38 and 40 will preventrelative sliding movement between wall member 12 and flap member 28 intwo directions. Accordingly, there is provided a more secure and sturdyseal to fasten the closure members of container 10.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there has been providedin accordance with the present invention, magnetic sealing means for acontainer which are attractive in appearance, provide an adequatemagnctic sealing force and are inexpensive to manufacture. Moreparticularly, the ferromagnetic material on the wall member is concealedfrom view in such a manner that there is no bulge or protrusion throughthe decorative, overwrap material due to the fact that the ferromagneticmaterial is impressed into the wall member and is flush with the surfacethereof. in addition, the size of the permanent magnets secured to theflap member may be reduced in size to provide a thinner closure byimpressing a strip of ferromagnetic material into the flap member. Mostimportant, the strip of ferromagnetic material is applied to the closuremembers in a most economical and efficient manner, i.e., the strip offerromagnetic material is simply impressed into the surface of thebaseboard and is then covered with a decorative, overwrap material.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theinvention will be employed without'a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriated that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:

1. An openable and selectively resealable container including wallmembers defining an internal storage cavity and a flap member hingedlyconnected thereto and movable between a closed and opened position, oneof said wall members and said flap member definingclosure members, atleast a portion of said flap member having a contact surface inoverlying contact with a contact surface of one wall member of saidcontainerwhen said flap member is in its closed position, magneticsealing means in association with said closure members for retainingsaid flap member in its closed position, said magnetic sealing meanscomprising a strip of permanent magnetic material on the contact surfaceof one of said closure membersand a thin layer of ferromagnetic materialbeneath thecontact surface of said other closure member,said-otherclosure member being formed of a baseboard and at least onere-- ceiving surface thereof being covered with an overwrap material,said ferromagnetic material being impressed into the receiving surfaceof said baseboard with the outer surface of said ferromagnetic materialbeing substantially coplanar with the receiving surface of saidbaseboard and said overwrap material secured there over substantiallyconcealing the appearance and location of said ferromagnetic material,baseboard in the area of said ferromagnetic material being free from cutouts, means securing said ferromagnetic material to and into thereceiving surface of said baseboard, said ferromagnetic material andsaid permanent magnetic material being located on said closure membersto coact and overlie when said flap member is in its closed position.

2. The container in accordance with claim I wherein said securing meansincludes prongs formed on said ferromagnetic material.

3. The container in accordance with claim I wherein said securing meansincludes adhesive means for securin g said ferromagnetic material tosaid baseboard.

4. The container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the width of saidbaseboard is greater than the width of said ferromagnetic material.

5. The container in accordance with claim 1 wherein ferromagneticmaterial is impressed into each of said closure members.

6. The container in accordance with claim I wherein at least one stripof permanent'magnetic material is'secured to each of said closuremembers.

7. The container in accordance withclaim 6 wherein the strips ofpermanent magnetic material on each of the closure members arepositioned immediately adjacent each other when said flat member is inits closed position with said strips of permanent magnetic materialpreventing sliding movement between said closure members.

* s. 4 a a

1. An openable and selectively resealable container including wallmembers defining an internal storage cavity and a flap member hingedlyconnected thereto and movable between a closed and opened position, oneof said wall members and said flap member defining closure members, atleast a portion of said flap member having a contact surface inoverlying contact with a contact surface of one wall member of saidcontainer when said flap member is in its closed position, magneticsealing means in association with said closure members for retainingsaid flap member in its closed position, said magnetic sealing meanscomprising a strip of permanent magnetic material on the contact surfaceof one of said closure members and a thin layer of ferromagneticmaterial beneath the contact surface of said other closure member, saidother closure member being formed of a baseboard and at least onereceiving surface thereof being covered with an overwrap material, saidferromagnetic material being impressed into the receiving surface ofsaid baseboard with the outer surface of said ferromagnetic materialbeing substantially coplanar with the receiving surface of saidbaseboard and said overwrap material secured thereover substantiallyconcealing the appearance and location of said ferromagnetic material,baseboard in the area of said ferromagnetic material being free from cutouts, means securing said ferromagnetic material to and into thereceiving surface of said baseboard, said ferromagnetic material andsaid permanent magnetic material being located on said closure membersto coact and overlie when said flap member is in its closed position. 2.The container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing meansincludes prongs formed on said ferromagnetic material.
 3. The containerin accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means includes adhesivemeans for securing said ferromagnetic material to said baseboard.
 4. Thecontainer in accordance with claim 1 wherein the width of said baseboardis greater than the width of said ferromagnetic material.
 5. Thecontainer in accordance with claim 1 wherein ferromagnetic material isimpressed into each of said closure members.
 6. The container inaccordance with claim 1 wherein at least one strip of permanent magneticmaterial is secured to each of said closure members.
 7. The container inaccordance with claim 6 wherein the strips of permanent magneticmaterial on each of the closure members are positioned immediatelyadjacent each other when said flat member is in its closed position withsaid strips of permanent magnetic material preventing sliding movementbetween said closure members.